Tourism Buyers and Sellers Conduct Business at Speed Networking Event

Tourism buyers and local manufacturers and suppliers in the sector, came together to explore business opportunities at the Tourism Linkages Network’s Speed Networking event on Thursday (March 16).

The Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall was the venue for the annual business activity, which aims to connect buyers directly with providers of tourism goods and services.

Speed Networking, which is in its eighth year, facilitates a series of 15-minute pre-scheduled meetings between senior representatives of local supplier companies and senior representatives of tourism entities such as hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who addressed the opening session, said the event was being held at a time when Jamaica is experiencing a return to pre-COVID-19 tourism figures, inclusive of cruise passenger and stopover arrivals and foreign exchange earnings.

“We have already surpassed 500,000 stopover arrivals for the year so far and that means we are closing in on US$1.5 billion for the 2022/23 Winter Tourist Season (December 2022 to mid-April 2023). We had predicted US$1.3 billion,” he noted.

Minister Bartlett said that speed networking ensures that manufacturers are matched with buyers who are interested in the products or services they offer.

He noted that at last year’s staging, some 174 sellers and buyers interacted in the space. He pointed out that 94 per cent of the hotels surveyed as tourism buyers were satisfied with the products presented, and 93.9 per cent of the tourism suppliers reported receiving business leads.

“This year, we are expecting a significant increase and the range of companies and products are expanding also. We have chemical and cleaning products, furnishing and bedding, food and beverage, fresh produce, aromatherapy, jewelry, art and craft, uniforms, clothing, printing and packaging, and entertainment,” Mr. Bartlett outlined.

“Which other industry in the world provides…so many players an opportunity for economic enrichment and development?” he asked rhetorically.

Speaking with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Suga Lifestyle, Gabrielle Burgess, said that the networking event provides an opportunity to grow outside of Kingston, where her business is based.

Suga Lifestyle promotes local businesses and entrepreneurs in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

Ms. Burgess, who is also an artisan, noted that it was her first time at Speed Networking but she had already connected with a number of tourist entities.

“Well, if we’re here, I would think that they’re interested in ‘buy Jamaica, build Jamaica’ and I have high quality Jamaican products that I would like to bring to them,” Ms. Burgess said.

“Let’s break out of the tie-dye dresses and Rasta-coloured beaded bracelets. We have so much more to offer from our talented artisans – high quality products – and if we want better for ourselves, we must want better for tourists as well,” she added.

The Tourism Linkages Network, which is a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), involves collaboration with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA); Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA); Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO); Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC).